bikrchk

www.meetups.com There's a group for EVERYTHING, and if there isn't one for your particular interest, you can start one!

Some would call it crazy. I get up at 4:20am every work day (an hour earlier than I have to) so I can get in a stationary bike ride and watch an episode of whatever Netflix show I happen to be obsessed with at the time. After 2 years, it's a habit and it's rare that I break it unless I'm REALLY sick.

Huh. Was not aware of this. I'm more than 2 years out, and take 40mg Omeprazole 2xday. The second dose with a single time release calcium supplement. Labs have always been perfect. Just another reason not to neglect your lab checkups! You never know!

I asked the same question to my surgeon and he did not make the recommendation for me, (thought he does for some based on their particular medical conditions). Instead, he lead me through the pros and cons of each procedure. For me, I was not full blown diabetic, (which can lead to a bypass decision) and I had 90-100 pounds to lose. Definitely no more. We finally decided that I didn't need the extra malabsorption (and the potentially more intense side effects) that comes with the bypass to be successful and went with the sleeve. I had some minor reflux, (which can also lead to a bypass over sleeve decision) but my doc attributed it to a hiatial hernia that would be repaired during either WLS procedure. I reached goal with no major issues 9 months after being sleeved and have settled into maintenance so I guess it was a good decision!

86g is my Protein goal. I didn't like the texture of a milk based shake early on, (no problems processing the dairy, it was just too "thick"). I chose to drink the nectar Iced Lemon Tea and pretty much did 2 of those, one in the AM one in the PM for the first 6 months. After that, I learned I enjoy a protein "latte", (chocolate or vanilla whey shaken up in my coffee) or a protein chai, (Nestea instant, spices and vanilla whey). Typically only one per day now as I can get the rest form a high protein diet. Sometimes, I'll do a PowerCrunch or Quest bar in the afternoon if I'm lowish.

I was pleasantly surprised how good I felt after having 90% of my stomach removed, LOL. I was out of the hospital within 24 hours, never needed narcotic pain meds and returned to work the next week. I can't say the first month was all puppies and unicorns, there WAS an adjustment period and recovery time, but overall, the procedure was much easier than I expected, I had little fatigue and there was much less pain than anticipated. Good luck!

Uh ... ten pounds weight loss a month is not untypical of "lighter weight" WLS patients. Several months pre-op I weighed 235 pounds. On the day of surgery I weighed 216 pounds and lost around 10 pounds a month the first 4 months. Then the monthly weight losses slowed down. Still, I still hit my target weight of 150 at 8.5 months post-op. In the next 6 months I lost 12 more pounds. I'm now maintaining at 138 pounds. I had a very similar experience. Fed myself really well, (as much as a my weight loss would bear and I could comfortably hold), exercised regularly, (still do), and slowly lost 90ish pounds at about 10 pounds\month (the first 10 were pre-op) achieving goal at about 9 months. Been maintaining that for a year and 1/2 now within about 5 pounds. I think that's a fine\healthy goal, particularly if your final goal is at or below a 100 pound loss. I was shooting for slow and steady with as high an intake as I could muster to try and reset my metabolism in a really manageable place long term. Today, I maintain on between 1200-1500 calories per day which is very doable with a "tiny tummy" without feeling like I'm on a "diet" all the time.

I was told to do calcium citrate chews 3x day separate from other supplements but found that even with setting an alarm, I was missing more doses than I was getting as I was always doing something and would get distracted before I could get back to my purse or whatever to get the calcium does. My personal solution\work around (YMMV) was to switch to a once per day slow release calcium citrate capsule. I still take a multi vit morning and night, a probiotic in the morning (my choice, not prescribed) extra D3, and iron+C mid day with no other supplements. Calcium levels have been perfect using either method for me. Iron levels had been slightly low, so I switched to a chewable iron + C hoping for a little better absorption. Time will tell whether that's made a difference.

Agree. I am a "researcher" and a "planner" analytic type which helps. I was VERY well prepared thru my surgeon's office, bariatric coordinator, nut visit, and mandatory support meetings, 6 months supervised diet, etc... ALL preop requirements, but programs vary. Some folks live far from the city and so it's a 2+hour jaunt just to get to the Doc, let alone meetings where they might be better educated, some go to Mexico, (admittedly, I have no idea what the education protocol is for the various Medical Tourism options but I'd bet it varies as widely as it does here in the states). And not everyone absorbs information the same. I was super lucky as my experience was "textbook" but I knew well what "could" happen and how I "might" feel afterwards and have several personal friends who experienced some of that. All of them went in with eyes open and regret nothing even though they had a rough go for a time. Still my fav article on the subject...Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone! http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/5307659/THERES-NO-CRYING-IN-BASEBALL-Wise-words-about-WLS/

The first time I achieved "normal" weight as an adult was about a year and 1/2 ago so I get where you're coming from. I concur with take pictures and single digit sizes make a big difference! That said, I've been in a size 4\6 jeans for a year and 1/2 now and MOST of the time I see a thin(ish) person in my reflection these days. Occasionally though, I feel like a busted can 'o biscuits! Best medicine for that is to take those size 4 jeans and really check them out, (off my body). To this day, it never ceases to amaze me that these are MY clothes when I'm taking them out of the dryer. Weird, huh?

It has made me so very grateful for my health! I had no idea how sick I was making myself and that it was actually possible to have enough energy to be active all day long!

I tell for several reasons, some of them selfish, some not so much. When folks know the story, I don't have to remember what I told them. They don't think I've been "sick". They don't compare their progress to mine and wonder why\feel like a failure when they don't achieve the same results I do with diet\exercise alone. Some, who could benefit from this tool or know someone who can ask me for my experience and I get to mentor which is the best prescription for MY staying on track I could get! For those who don't understand, I have the opportunity to educate about the disease and treatment of obesity. At this point in my life, I really don't give a rats A$$ about their opinion if it's bigoted or they're not on my side in the battle to recover and maintain my health. I'm happy to opened the door to the conversation. Not evereyone will always agree with us in all things and that's okay. However, if you have thin skin or care what others think, you may want to keep it to yourself. No need to create more stress in your life. The truth is, you'll change your lifestyle as a result of the procedure. Portion control, diet and exercise are the truth and perfectly valid answers! You'll just be omitting that you have a weapon of mass destruction helping you comply!

I'm 2+ years out and still do at least one supplement per day. Scoop of vanilla whey in hot coffee with a dash of cinnamon Instant coffee, milk, ice and chocolate or vanilla whey Instant tea, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, milk, ice and vanilla whey for a frozen chai latte Other than that, I use fairlife milk with double protein, or somethime Quest or Powercrunch bars

Bought a Withings WiFi scale I really like a few months ago. Synchs all by its self to MFP and my phone so I don't have to log it anymore.

Making meatloaf muffins tonight. I'll keep a few out for left overs and freeze the rest for when I'm too lazy to cook! Cottage cheese and crackers is a lunch staple, 1 egg with a slice of cheese for Breakfast. Scoop of whey in my coffee every morning, occasionally another Protein supplement later in the day. Apples. Medjool dates as a desert. P28 protein bread and bagels if I want a "bread" thing. Chili and home made Soups in the winter are a staple for me as well.

First 5 days I lived on Protein shakes, greek yogurt, Cream of rice, home made chicken broth, (frozen into ice cubes for easy storage... do this with all your Soups btw). Only thing I can think that I didn't have was chewable Tylenol. I munched a couple of Tylenol Jrs when needed rather than the narcotic syrup they sent me home with. Just didn't need it and it tends to give me icky tummy on a good day so I skipped it.

I was sleeved on Monday out of the hospital on Tuesday and drove myself to the store on Friday, (could have managed on Wed if necessary). As long as you're not on narcotic pain meds, you may be ready in a few days, but it's hard to tell... Some folks take longer.

My local Hyvee has a 100% whey (their brand) that I put in coffee every morning. chocolate and vanilla. A little less sweet than the others and mixes pretty well hot as long as you don't burn it so it gets chunky.

So, I'm 2+ years out and had what I suspect was a gallbladder episode a few nights ago. Woke up projectile vomiting 5 hours after a rich meal. (Rich in good fat, salmon, olive oil, etc) I palpated around and nothing hurt to the touch. Problem was over as quick as it started. Went back to bed felt okay the next day, (minor soreness probably to be expected). Went and got checked the next day at the PCP's office, (my surgeon moved and the bariatric program kind of fell apart so no support there) and the nurse practitioner was like, yeah, could be, but since it was the first episode probably don't need an ultrasound. Try cutting some fat out of your diet. Okay... So I've done that, and do feel better, however, I've lost a little weight already. I don't really NEED to lose at this point, but 10 pounds would be okay. No more though. So I've been maintaining my weight on a certain calorie level (1300-1500) mostly supported by full fat dairy and "good" fats in nuts, avocado, salmon, olive oil, etc. I've gone back to logging so I can keep track of the fat, (I WAS eating a lot, I think), but now, keeping it below 30% (around 40g per day which doesn't seem that low to me), I struggle to get 1000 calories per day, (even when I eat 5-6 small meals per day). I have an exercise habit, stationary bike at home, nothing extreme, that burns 400-500 per day. What am I going to look like in 2 months? Should I be concerned?

All the stuff you mention... cheese, crackers, chocolate etc, that what I WAS eating. I munched seed crackers all day long dipped in cottage cheese or with baby bells between meals. Then chase dinner with a glass of wine or single serving ice cream treat and maintained. I added some pretzel crackers to lunch today (much lower fat than the seeded rice crackers I had been eating) and apparently got too much, (had to lose some of it as I was over full and ready to puke). More food, even Snacks... just no more room. We'll see if weight loss turns out to be as big an issue as I expect with a cleaned up diet. I really was maintaining eating pretty much whatever I felt like in small quantities, though I eat pretty clean during the week. The NP I saw didn't think an ultrasound was warranted... yet. If I lose more than 10, I'll be back with my PCP telling her I got bad advice (for a maintaining bariatric patient). I think you may be right, if it's stones, even if they are not severe, keeping the symptoms in check with diet may not be an option for me.

Oh, did I mention I'm already getting 80-90G of Protein per day?. I still do a scoop of whey in my coffee and if I'm less than 80 for the day, a Quest or PowerCrunch later, (if I can fit it in my belly, LOL). I did purchase some dried fruit, (yeah, high sugar, but whatcha gonna do?) to add as a snack. I had been drinking a glass of wine at night as well which created a calorie bump, but it's been making my tummy icky so I quit that too. :-/ I may just see what happens. If 2 months from now, I'm at or below 135, I'll be back at the Dr, (my actual PCP, not the NP) saying "WTH" was THAT advice? In the mean time, there's a support group from another clinic locally that I sometimes attend. I may check with their Nut and coordinator to see if they have advice or see if their docs ever accept other patients. I've changed jobs, so if it has to come out, it'll likely be at this hospital anyway.

Ya know, I made a decision to weight no more than once per week after WLS. Waited till my first follow up to weight at the doc's office and everything knowing I'd be all full of fluids and probably not lose that first week anyway. Stuck to the once per week schedule for the first year and 1/2, (way into maintenance). That worked well for me at a time when I needed to be focusing on my behaviors more than a number. I was way less obsessed. Then I got a wifi scale and now I weigh mostly every day. I'm not obsessed and if I forget its not a big deal. Head is in a different place about it now. I'm past that "I lost another pound" euphoria I had in the first 6 months, but I do still needs to stay "checked in" for monitoring my maintenance. If you're weighing more than once per day, you should probably focus on something else. Give your scale to a friend for a month and work through it. Set OTHER achievable goals and make them happen.

Get some help with this or it will drive you nuts as a sleeved person! One way of looking at it that's helped me is looking at it like this... "My body is not a garbage disposal", it is not my responsibility, (and seriously no longer possible) to consume more than I am comfortable holding.

Nervousness is NORMAL. I'd be concerned that you didn't have all the information if you weren't at least a LITTLE nervous about major surgery! However, you may not feel horrible afterwards, and you may not regret it it even for a second! Some folks have a harder time in the beginning, some not so much. I can't say it was all puppies and rainbows that first week, but it was not nearly as bad as I had anticipated! I've had not one moment of regret for making that choice! Moments of regret for over eating a bit as I learned the limits of my new tool, sure, but never for the decision to have 90% of my stomach removed so I could get control over my appetite and get healthy! 2 + years and counting and still feel this is the single best decision I've ever made for myself. Good luck!

Yes, THIS! All of it... So true!